Extracurricular Activities in Japan and the World


Extracurricular activities are an important part of student life in both Japan and my culture, Bengali culture from West Bengal, India. Although the activities may differ, both societies encourage young people to develop skills, discipline, and friendships outside the classroom.


In Japan, many students participate in school clubs called bukatsu. According to the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT, 2023), students often join sports teams, music clubs, cultural clubs, or volunteer groups and spend a significant amount of time practicing after school.


In West Bengal, extracurricular activities are often organized outside school. Many children attend art classes, karate lessons, music schools, dance academies, and sports coaching on weekends. Football is especially important in Kolkata because of the historic rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, while cricket remains popular throughout India. According to the Government of West Bengal (2024), the state has a rich tradition of literature, music, theatre, and visual arts.


Bengalis are sometimes stereotyped as lazy “sorkari office-er babus” who enjoy bhaat-ghum, an afternoon nap after a meal of rice and fish curry. I admit I enjoy this tradition on weekends. However, this stereotype does not reflect reality. Many Bengalis actively participate in sports, arts, and cultural activities. The achievements of figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, Sourav Ganguly, Satyajit Ray, Shreya Ghoshal, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose demonstrate Bengal’s tradition of creativity, leadership, and excellence.


Both Japanese and Bengali cultures value personal growth beyond academics, helping students become well-rounded individuals.


References

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. (2023). Club activity reform: Opening the door to richer sports and cultural arts activities from schools to communities. https://mext-gov.note.jp/n/nb03cc32500ed

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. (n.d.). Improvement and upgrading of school sports clubs. https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/sports/lawandplan/title02/detail02/sdetail02/sdetail02/sdetail02/1374483.htm

Government of West Bengal. (n.d.). Culture and lifestyle. Egiye Bangla. https://wb.gov.in/our-culture-culture-and-lifestyle.aspx

Government of West Bengal. (n.d.). Arts and crafts. Egiye Bangla. https://westbengal.gov.in/our-culture-arts-and-crafts.aspx

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